About the Access IADT Entry Route
To apply, you must be doing or have completed your Leaving Certificate, or a full QQI Level 5 or 6 award.
You apply for your chosen IADT course through the CAO and also complete the ACCESS IADT application form.
IADT also participates in the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) scheme. You can apply to both HEAR and the ACCESS IADT ENTRY ROUTE.
Why apply?
- Reduced CAO points: IADT keeps one reserved place on every undergraduate course for Access IADT Entry Route applicants. If you qualify you may receive a reduced points offer. Please note that you must still meet the minimum entry requirements for the programme and for a programme requiring a portfolio, you must pass your portfolio with a score of 240 or more.
- Early orientation: You will be invited to an early introduction/orientation to IADT in September.
- Extra supports: You will receive ongoing support from the Access Service, including advice about funding and bursaries.
When to apply?
You can apply for entry in September 2026 between:
Monday 23 February 2026
and
1pm, Friday 1st May 2026
How to apply
You must:
- Apply for at least one IADT course through the CAO by the CAO deadline.
- Check if you are eligible for the IADT Access Entry Route using this quick Eligibility Checker Tool
- Complete the online ACCESS IADT Entry Route application form (available from 23 February 2026).
Questions about CAO applications: admissions@iadt.ie
Questions about ACCESS IADT: access@iadt.ie
Who can apply? – Eligibility
You must:
- Be under 23 on 1 January 2026
- Be from a socio‑economically disadvantaged background
- Have completed (or be completing) the Leaving Cert, or a QQI Level 5 or 6
- Live in the Republic of Ireland
- Want to study full‑time in IADT
- Apply through the CAO and choose at least one IADT course
- Complete the ACCESS IADT online form
Indicators you must meet
You must meet at least 3 of the following:
- Medical/GP Visit Card: Your family has a medical or GP visit card valid on 31 December 2025.
- Means‑tested Social Welfare: Your family received a means‑tested social welfare payment for 26+ weeks in 2024.
- Area Profile: You live in an area of disadvantage (with high unemployment, poverty, or low levels of participation in higher education). This is assessed by Eircode using the Pobail HP Deprivation Indices.
- If you were homeless during secondary school and listed on the Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS), you meet this indicator.
- DEIS School: You attended a DEIS secondary school (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools).
- Family Income: Your family income for 2024 is at or below the HEAR income limits:
| Dependent children | Income limit |
| Fewer than 4 | €46,790 |
| 4–7 | €51,325 |
| 8+ | €55,630 |
Add €4,785 for each parent/sibling in full‑time college.
Automatic Eligibility
You automatically qualify if you provide proof that you are:
- A member of the Traveller community
- A member of the Roma community
- Currently or previously in the Care of the State (Tusla/HSE)
- A young parent
Preparing your application
- Check if you are eligible – use the online eligibility checker, or email access@iadt.ie if unsure.
- Download the example application form HERE to understand what you’ll need to answer.
- Prepare your documents. Depending on your indicators, this may include:
- A letter confirming you are a member of the Traveller or Roma community
- Proof of means‑tested social welfare payments (26+ weeks in 2024)
- Proof of Child Benefit if you are a young parent
- Proof you are or were in the care of the state
- Proof of a Medical/GP Visit Card
- Proof from Revenue showing your household income is below the threshold
Documents can be uploaded in the online application or emailed to access@iadt.ie.
Allocation of places
If more people qualify than there are reserved places:
- An IADT committee will review all applications
- They will consider your CAO points and your eligibility documents
If you are successful, you will be notified during CAO Round 1, usually at the end of August or early September.
Contact
For any questions, please email: access@iadt.ie